Photography and Cataract Surgery Questions: I will be having cataract surgery on my right eye on June 11th and on my left eye on July 2nd. Can someone who has had the surgery done tell...

zuzanne Loc: Crawfordville, FL

I will be having cataract surgery on my right eye on June 11th and on my left eye on July 2nd. Can someone who has had the surgery done tell me how you took photos with one eye fixed and one eye not fixed? My right eye will be done first for distance vision correction. My left for close up in July. I currently wear no line bifocals.

TIA,

zuzanne

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

There are a number of Hoggers who have had cataract surgery, including myself. I would NOT recommend having the 2 different lenses. I know a couple of folks who went for the near/far option and regretted it not long after the 2nd eye was done. My surgery was in September 2007. The left eye was done 1st. The right was done 2 weeks later. I can now drive without corrective lenses but, wear them due to astigmatism correction.

As for shooting. I never experienced a problem. My surgery was 19 years after I switched to an autofocus system.

Why are they waiting so long to do the 2nd eye? Most folks I know have the 2nd eye done about 2 weeks after the 1st.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

zuzanne wrote:

I will be having cataract surgery on my right eye on June 11th and on my left eye on July 2nd. Can someone who has had the surgery done tell me how you took photos with one eye fixed and one eye not fixed? My right eye will be done first for distance vision correction. My left for close up in July. I currently wear no line bifocals.

TIA,

zuzanne

I had cataract removal surgery about four years ago. The first eye, then a year later, the second. (Opthalmologist said the second eye wasn't "ripe" yet," at the time of the first. "Ripe??" Hmmm)

The only result I had was that I had better than 20/20 in both eyes beyond about 3-4 feet. Correcting lenses for reading and computer. The only way it affected my photography is that I do use the glasses when setting the camera outside normal parameters (To read the menus and dials.) Otherwise, no practical change--except vastly clearer vision.

srfotog Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

First, good luck with your surgery. It takes no time at all. I doubt you will want to be out with your camera for several days. It feels like you have an eyelash or sand in your eye.. There are frequent drops the first few days and you may end up with floaters. Mine ended up being rather annoying, but some people have little problem with them. Overall it is an easy surgery and you may be amazed at how white, white is! I thought I had a light tan wall when it was actually white. Sunglasses are a must. You will probably be given them before you leave the surgical center. I am sure you will do fine...just take it a day at a time. Oh, after a year I again needed glasses. Thank goodness for diopters on cameras.

zuzanne wrote:

I will be having cataract surgery on my right eye on June 11th and on my left eye on July 2nd. Can someone who has had the surgery done tell me how you took photos with one eye fixed and one eye not fixed? My right eye will be done first for distance vision correction. My left for close up in July. I currently wear no line bifocals.

TIA,

zuzanne

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

zuzanne wrote:

I will be having cataract surgery on my right eye on June 11th and on my left eye on July 2nd. Can someone who has had the surgery done tell me how you took photos with one eye fixed and one eye not fixed? My right eye will be done first for distance vision correction. My left for close up in July. I currently wear no line bifocals.

TIA,

zuzanne

I developed cataracts in both eyes, but at slightly different times.

I was a right eye shooter, and the vision in my right eye got so bad I learned to shoot left eyed, when the left eye started clouding over I went in for surgery back in 2012.

I had my right eye done first that was on a Monday morning, when I went back in for the check up Tuesday morning things had done so well I was able to wait for an opening and had my left eye done that day. I am sure this is not normal, usually people wait a few days or a week to get the second one done.

I guess I can now switch between left & right eyed shooting pretty easily, but went back to right eyed.

FYI - I did develop a secondary posterior cataract in my left eye and recently had the laser surgery done to break up the membrane - takes a few minutes - no pain, just a weird feeling.

Edit - what others stated about colors is true - you will not believe the difference.

SSam Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ

nicksr1125 wrote:

I would NOT recommend having the 2 different lenses.

My wife just finished her first Cataract surgery. She had an implanted lens for single close vision. The doctor had scheduled her second eye for just a few weeks in the future. However, during her two-week checkup, he recommended she delay her second eye because the cataract was not that far developed. She took his advice and is delaying it because she sees 20/30 vision.

She is SO HAPPY to be able to "throw her glasses" away. Many years ago she had far vision contact lens in one eye and close vision contacts in the other eye. She really liked not having glasses then also. So it was not hard to even 'guess' what the outcome would be with this surgery.

I think, to take your side in this issue, that the majority of people do not adjust to different distance vision in each eye. But, there are some that really like it. So, I'm recommending potential 'candidates' investigate for themselves.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

SSam wrote:

My wife just finished her first Cataract surgery. ... (show quote)

I agree with the near/far lenses in this case. It has to be on an individual basis. I hope the surgeon explains this BEFORE the surgery. As for the 2nd eye not being that far developed. My sister had the same diagnosis. She got a 2nd opinion which was "there's no such thing". If it's developed enough to be seen, it's developed enough to be removed. The only reason to wait is if it's not causing any problem which, it seems to be in your wife's case.

Bobbee

zuzanne wrote:

I will be having cataract surgery on my right eye on June 11th and on my left eye on July 2nd. Can someone who has had the surgery done tell me how you took photos with one eye fixed and one eye not fixed? My right eye will be done first for distance vision correction. My left for close up in July. I currently wear no line bifocals.

TIA,

zuzanne

hum, I had surgery last Dec on one eye. The second sometime in the future. I had distance and will do the second for distance. Not sure I would do the alternating eye thing.

Two years ago I went through about 2 months of trying to put the contact lens in my eyes that does the same. Really messed up my head. I would expect this may be close to the same. Be careful. But, my left, which has a contact for distance correction, is my eye I use for photography. don't have an issue.

Impressionist

My wife an artist had cataract surgery She sees better now then she had when I met her 40 years ago. Claude Monet also had cateracts which gives one pause when thinking of Impressionist style. Point is you are in good company and should be fine. Surgery has gotten much better as is recovery time. There is always a new normal after surgery but your photography really shouldn't suffer. Use your skills to record changes. Treat this as a learning and teachable experience. Monet was always Monet. You will be fine.

Jerry Kos Loc: Milwaukee, Wi

Today is the last time I will be on my medication for cataract surgery on my left eye. Right eye was done the week before. I have far vision in both eyes. I love the results after surgery. Wish I had it done years ago. Never heard of not having cataract surgery too early. If they can see it, it's cataracts. Than again I'm not a doctor. You'll see a great difference after the first surgery and will look forward to the second.

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I had cataract surgery in both eyes, 30 or more years ago. Before I had each surgery, the cataract in that eye had not gotten so severe that I could not see--I couldn't see well, and cataracts never get better on their own. If using a viewfinder, the optics on the viewfinders of all the cameras I own have sufficient adjustment that I can use the viewfinder without glasses. If you are not using a viewfinder but are looking at a screen, you should be able to manage. Vision is actually a mental process--your eyes simply provide images for the brain to evaluate.

Ron F. Loc: Missouri

As an Optometrist with over 42 years in practice, I would not recommend Mono-vision cataract surgery without trying mono-vision in contact lenses first. I recently had cataract surgery and was corrected for distance in both eyes. Another option is Crystalens, which is a bifocal lens implant, and requires an upcharge. With that lens, you will see fairly well at near, but may still have to wear reading glasses for small print. I'm sure you will do well with your surgery.

Ron F. Loc: Missouri

As an Optometrist with over 42 years in practice, I would not recommend Mono-vision cataract surgery without trying mono-vision in contact lenses first. I recently had cataract surgery and was corrected for distance in both eyes. Another option is Crystalens, which is a bifocal lens implant, and requires an upcharge. With that lens, you will see fairly well at near, but may still have to wear reading glasses for small print. I'm sure you will do well with your surgery.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Don't understand the long time between doing each eye?? When I had mine done it was only a week apart. I refrained from photography for that week. I would push up that 2nd eye date.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

zuzanne wrote:

I will be having cataract surgery on my right eye on June 11th and on my left eye on July 2nd. Can someone who has had the surgery done tell me how you took photos with one eye fixed and one eye not fixed? My right eye will be done first for distance vision correction. My left for close up in July. I currently wear no line bifocals.

TIA,

zuzanne

Two days after having cateract surgery in my left eye, I experienced a retinal detachment in the same eye. The retina was repaired, but the vision has not been totally restored.
Most cateract surgery is successfull, but I thought I should comment.
I wish you the best.